In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, Stuart McPherson discusses their show Stuart McPherson: Crisps and a Lie Down.
What can you tell me in your words about your show?
In words I can say if you like words you'll probably like my show as there are a lot of words in it. Too many some would argue. I've added in some funny noises this year as well to lighten the load. It's about my little life with my wife (girlfriend) and child (dog) and how life changes in your 30s and whether we want to start a family. It's funny.
Where did the inspiration for this piece come from?
The inspiration for this piece (love that, I'm gonna start calling my shows 'pieces') came from living my life and trying to observe it as if it's not me living it and analysing how I feel about everything. It's also inspired by taking my wife and child to my parents' for Christmas for the first time and also by a night we spent without the internet and how that makes you go insane.
How have you approached developing the show?
For me it's just constant trial and error and gentle adjustments to find the right tone and balance of all the elements. I basically end up writing enough stuff for 3 hours and editing it down to 50 minutes.
How would you describe the style of the show?
It's an autobiographical stand up comedy show. It's gag-heavy, rather than there being an important message or crazy story behind it. It's a fairly normal guy trying to figure out what it's all about through the medium of jokes, a man-and-a-mic stand up with an alternative sensibility that I try my best to hide.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a run like the Fringe?
What I have done is left myself with lots of stressful admin to do and hurt my knee playing football.
What is one random fact about the show that you can share?
The following people at one point got name checks during the show but have since been cut: Tiger Woods, Saddam Hussein, Claudia Winkleman, Shaggy (singer, not Scooby Doo's mate)
Can you describe the show in 3 words?
pretty funny lol
Away from your show, what are you most looking forward to about being in Edinburgh?
Seeing lots of pals and not being expected to reply to emails for a month
Are there any other shows at the Fringe you’d like to recommend?
I always go and see Phil Ellis. Ralph Brown cracks me up. Amanda Dwyer is funny. Ayo Adenekan will have a great debut show. Liam Withnail's show is amazing again this year. Heard good things about Alison Spittle's show.
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
I went to see the Singing Kettle do a Pirates themed show as a boy and it terrified me so much my Grandad had to take me home. To this day I have a general distrust of pirates and children's performers.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
I just hope they laugh loads and tell their mates they enjoyed it and maybe remember my name to see me next time.
Where and when can people see your show?
They can see my show at Monkey Barrel @ Cabaret Voltaire 1, 5.15pmevery day apart from the 12th
- What is one hidden gem in Edinburgh that everyone should visit?
- Not exactly a hidden gem but in Fringe terms, maybe - I really like the two Modern art galleries that are about a half hour by foot from the festival, and the Water of Leith walkway down the river is really lovely.
Post a Comment